Mr. Hibbard and his assailant had a confrontation near Mr. Hibbard's car parked at Forest and Charles streets, according to Mr. Early. Mr. Hibbard was struck by at least one of several shots that were fired.

He collapsed after knocking on several Forest Street doors, the statement said.

Parts of Forest and Charles streets remained blocked off Saturday afternoon.

Forest Street resident Anne Belmont said she was awakened about 4 a.m. by gunshots. She came to her window.

"I didn't see anything. I didn't hear a car or anything," she said. "About five minutes later, I heard someone moan and yell for help. I came out on the porch, and I yelled 'Hello, hello,' and he said 'Help, help, help. I've been shot.' "

Ms. Belmont said Mr. Hibbard was across the street, on the porch at 46 Forest St., where neighbors had already called 911. An ambulance came and took him away.

Another neighbor who did not want to be named said he heard banging on his door. He went to the door and opened it. The victim dropped right there, he said.

The resident said he didn't see much blood.

Neighbors said they had seen blood all over the door at 44 Forest St., where a man appeared to be cleaning his door Saturday afternoon. They said the victim went there before banging on the door at No. 46.

The resident at 46 Forest St. said he was surprised to find a blackjack on his porch when he was cleaning up the blood where the heavily tattooed man collapsed.

Nearby residents also said they saw what appeared to be a gun lying on the sidewalk. Police later took it away in a rifle-sized box, they said.

A silver Jeep SUV with a rear door open remained parked on Charles Street for hours until police had it towed away this afternoon.